Electric igniter for stoves



Nov. 23 1926 1,608,066

A. E. HOY

ELECTRIC IGNITER FOR STOVES Filed Jan. 50, 1926 gwuenioz fflice 8. flay.

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ALICE E. I-IOY, 01* DENVER, COLORADO.

ELECTRIC IGNITER FOR STOVES.

Application filed January 30, 1926. Serial No. 84,957.

This invention relates to improvements in electric igniters for stoves.

Gas stoves are almostuniversally employed for cooking and baking in urban homes in- America. The gas must be ignited whenever the stoves are to be used and for this purpose matches are ordinarily used. As the several burners of each stove must be ignited several times during each day, a

large number of matches are used daily. he unburned portions of these matches unless very carefully deposited in a suitable receptacle will litter up the stove and cause it to assume an untidy appearance.

In order to obviate the use of matchesit has been proposed to employ some electric ignition device by means of which the gas may .be ignited and it is to this type of invention that my invention relates.

In our cities the houses arenow generally equipped with electric lights and are connected with the electric service wires in that vicinity. It is my intention to produce an electric ignition device that can be connected with the electric lighting wires and which will therefore not require the use of batteries or any separate source of power.

My invention can be most clearly described and will be most readily understood when reference is had to the accompanying drawing in which the preferred embodiment thereof has been illustrated and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one of my lmproved igniters, showing the parts in disconnected or inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a section similar tothat. shown in 1 but showing the parts in closed or operative position; and,

Fig. 3 is a view showing the'manner in which my device is connected to the electric wiring and how it is used with the stove.

In the drawing numeral 1 represents one of the gas burners of which each stove may have several, each of which are grounded in the manner indicated at 2. Numerals 3 and 4 represent the wires of the electric light circuit one of which is grounded as indicated by numeral 5. Where a three wire service is used the neutral wire is nearly always grounded so that one side of the lighting circuit is always grounded. It is evident that if an electrical connection is made between wire 3 and the burner 1., a current will flow "wire 3 through the burner 1 and through the ground connection hack to wire at order to produce a safe and convenient way of making electrical connection between the wire 3 and the burner 1, I have provided a handle of insulating material which comprises two parts 6 and 7. Part 6 has an axial opening 8 for the reception of an elecrical conductor 9 that extends to and is electrically connected with the wire 3. The part 6 is also provided with a cylindrical opening 10 for the reception of a cylindrical connector 11 of brass, copper or other good electri- (al conducting material to "which the end of the conductor 9 is secured. The part 6 has an annular internally threaded extension 12 with which the threaded projection 13 of the part 7 cooperates. The part 7 has an axial opening let that communicates with the opening 10 when the parts are in assembled relation and which has communication with the opening 15 that is of smaller diameter and through which the electrode 16 extends. The electrode 16 has secured to it a flange 17 against which one end of the spring 18 abuts. A nut 19 is threadedly connected with the side of the opening 1 1 and has a cen tral opening through which the electrode 16 extends. The spring 18 is under compression and normally holds the electrode 16 in the position shown in Fig.1. The inner end 20 of the electrode 16 is of the proper ,diameter to enter the opening in the connector 11 and of such length that when the electrode 16 is in the position shown in Fig.

1 it will be electrically disconnected from the part 11. V7 hen the electrode 16 is forced inwardly against the action of the spring 18, the end 20 will be forced into the opening inthe socket 11 (Fig. 2).

Unless some means were provided for holding the electrode in the position shown in Fig. 2 the spring 18 would promptly return it to the position shown in Fig. 1 as soon as the force had been removed. The electrode has therefore been provided with a groove or depression 21 which may be engaged by the head 22 of the plunger that is attached to the insulating button 23. When the electrode is in the position shown in Fig. 2, it may be held in that position if and so long as suflicient force is applied to the button 23 to keep the head 22 in the groove 21. As soon,'however, as the force is removed from the button 23, the spring18 will move the electrode to the position shown in 1 which position the eiaetrode eleetris limit the flow of current.

cally disconnected from the wire 9. For the purpose of preventing the end of the electrode from being bent, I have provided a lining 24 of insulating material. This lining has a slot through which the head 22 may extend.

The device operates as follows: Let us assume that the wires 3 and 4 are connected to a source G of electricity and that wire 4 is grounded at- 5 in the manner shown. The conductor 9 is connected to the live wire 3 and has incorporated in it an inductance coil 26 or a noninductive resistance, as the case may be. The function of the coil 26 is to hen the gas is to be ignited at the burner 1, the valve 27 is first opened so as to permit the gas to escape. The electrode 16 is now forced into the position shown in Fig. 2 and held in this position by means of pressure applied to the but ton 23. The tip of the electrode is now brought into contact with the burner 1 which completes the electric circuit. lVhen the connection between the electrode and the burner 1 is broken an arc will form and this will ignite the gas. It is evident that the switching mechanism, which has been provided for disconnecting and connecting the electrode to the connector 11, is not necessary as far as the operation of the igniter is concernedbut it is necessary as a safety device. If the electrode 16 were constantly connected with the conductor 3, a short circuit would always be produced whenever the electrode came into contact with a grounded object and great care would therefore have to be exercised to prevent it from coming into contact with the stove except when used for igniting the gas. If the electrode 16 were always alive, there would be a constant danger of being shocked by coming into contact with it.

With my automatic switching mechanism the electrode can be kept in contact with the wire 9 only by applying force to the button 23 and as soon as this fo "ce is discontinued the electrode is immediately disconnected. This is an important feature of my invention and renders my device perfectly safe as no live parts are exposed except when the device is in actual use.

Having now described my invention what is claimed as new is:

1. An electric gas lighter comprising, in combination, a handle consisting of two sections of insulating material detachably connected to each other, the adjacent ends of said sections having axially aligned openings adapted to communicate with each other, an electric contact member located in one of said openings and held against movement, an electrode slidably connected with the other section, saidelectrode having an outwardly extending flange, a spring surrounding a portion of said electrode, an abutment member secured to the section carrying the electrode, one end of said spring engaging said electrode, said electrode, when moved inwardly against the force exerted by the spring, being adapted to come into electrical contact with the contact member and means for holding said electrode in contact making position against the action of the spring.

2. An electric gas lighter comprising, in combination, a handle consisting of two sections detachably connected to each other, said sections having axially aligned openings in communication with each other, an electric contact member located in one of said openings and held against movement, an electrode slidably connected with the other section,

said electrode having an outwardly extending flange, a spring surrounding a portion of said electrode, said spring having one end in contact with said flange, an abutment member of insulating material separating the other end of said spring from the electric contact member, said electrode when moved inwardly being adapted to make electric con nection with the contact member and means comprising a detent for holding said electrode in contact making position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ALICE E. HOY. 

